Having the right personal injury attorney is one of the only things between you and a fair settlement after suffering an injury. When going through the process of choosing a personal injury attorney in Georgia, there are certain things to consider.
Here, we will cover how to hire the right personal injury lawyer so you can get the settlement you deserve.
Decide What Area of Law Your Case Fits into
There are many areas of law attorneys focus on. Within the area of personal injury, there are various categories. These may include:
Automobile collisions
Slip and falls
Medical malpractice
Products liability
Sexual assault
Elder abuse or neglect
First and foremost, consider what category your case may fall into. Finding an attorney that handles your particular kind of case is crucial.
Consider What Traits You Are Looking for in an Attorney
Certain traits and characteristics may be more important to you than others. These may include:
Compassion
Listening skills
Aggressive
Attentive
Experience
Success
Having an attorney with a compatible personality who you feel comfortable with can make the process much easier. Get to know your Georgia personal injury attorney as best you can before committing to work with them.
Conduct a Thorough Search for an Attorney
There are many lawyers to choose from, but that doesn’t mean they all possess the qualities you need from an attorney. You may begin your research online or get referrals from family and friends. Before narrowing your list of attorneys to consult with, do your research. It is typically easy to find information on attorneys through their website, including education, experience, awards, and recognitions.
Schedule a Consultation
Once you have decided which attorney(s) you would like to meet with, schedule a consultation. Consultations allow you to get to know the attorney without any fees or commitments.
Make a note of the attorneys who offer free consultations. If a personal injury lawyer doesn’t, this could be a warning sign.
Go to the Consultation Prepared with Questions
You likely have many questions and concerns regarding your potential case. To ensure all your questions are answered, write them down and take them with you. Asking all your questions and thoroughly discussing your case will allow you to leave your meeting feeling more knowledgeable and better prepared. Common questions to ask your attorney include:
Have you dealt with these kinds of cases before?
Will I be communicating directly with you regarding my case? If not, who?
What are the chances my case will go to trial?
How involved will I be in my case?
What are the costs associated with my case? How are they paid?
While the attorney will have plenty of questions for you, do not hesitate to take advantage of your time with them and get all of your questions answered.
Know Who Will Be Handling Your Case Personally
While you may meet with one attorney, another attorney in that firm may be the one directly handling your case. Along with your initial questions, you may consider asking the attorney if they will be working on your case personally. If not, be sure to meet the handling attorney before your lawsuit commences.
Read Past Client Reviews
Successful attorneys have happy clients. In turn, these satisfied clients provide client testimonials. Reading client testimonials gives you a better idea of how attorneys and firms handle cases, and what common experiences look like.
Before committing to your attorney, be sure to read client reviews. Reviews will help you better understand what to expect from your Georgia personal injury attorney.
